Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-09
vlCTUALS AND DRINK.
Food AdulteratiOn and Impure Water.
THE DISTRICT CHEMIST RECOMMENDING MEASURES
FOR A SYSTEMATIC INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF
FOOD SUPPLIES AND DRINKING WATER

THE DISTRICT CHEMIST RECOMMENDING MEASURES
FOR SYSTEMATIC INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF
FOOD SUPPLIES AND DRINKING WATER
soners Mr.. Clifford Rich ardson, inspector OF as
phalts and cements, who has held that ofIicesipce
June last says: 'The reference to this Office BY all
branches OF the District government OF questions
involving chemical research or opinions, and the
general custom of designating the inspector az
District chemist, points to the advisability OF
making the Official title OF the Office that OF chem.
list to the District Of Columbia In addition to that
OF inspector or asphalts and cements." He says
that the increasing demand upon his Office COM
pels him to ask for appropriation Of 81 900 for
other articles necessary for carrying On chemical
investigations.
PROPOSED ENLARGEMENT OF THE DUTIES OF THE
OFFICE.
Hitherto the work Of this ONCE has been con.
fined to the inspection of the material ana an
oversight Of the manufacture and composition OF
the asphalttc and tar distilate residue pavementS
Which are laid, to an inspection aud tests OF the
cements in on public works and to such work OF
scattered and miscellaneous character as is from
time to time referred TO this office frequently In
large amount by the various branches OF the Gov
eminent, the water and health offices, the police
department, and the coroner. 1t seems desirable
that, In the interests OF the public health under
proper regulations and in conjunction with the
health o1f1cer the chemist OF The District should
exercise control over some OF the food supplies Of
the city, or at least those most liable to adultera-
ton.
FOOD ADULTERATT0N.
Many OF the larger cities OF the country and sew.
eral States, have already undertaken, with most
beneficial results the inspection and chemical
analysis Of such articles of food as dairy products
spices and the common groceries, and have shown
that without some check OF this sort the percent
age OF impure milk and poor food materials is
n fRpl nyfnrp 1oara
this respect in the District, we are suffering to
larger extent than is suspected from aduteratiOn
In many directions The natural tendency being for
the manuftcturer Of adult, e. goods whendrlven
from number OF ties by careful chemical inspec-
ton to seek fields where nothing o. the scr. exists
IMPURE MILK.
Milk has been found every where to be subject
to the grOSSeSt adulterat1on and to need the most
careful inspection. washington is, probably, no
exception to the rule. He, therefore, recommends
the ACCESSIBILITY Of the appointment OF an asss-
tant 10 the chemist. who Shall act In conjunction
with the health OH C, under proper regulations,
taken TO protect more especially, the infant pOpu
latiOn, from adulterated or impure milk, which is
such prolific source OF disease and death.
POLLUTED WELLS.
He calls attention also to plan which has been
elaborated for investigation OF the character OF
the water which normally exists In the soils OF
the District, and which would be found In wells
which have suffered no contamination. When
this has been carefully and systematically deter
mined the results will form basis Of comparison
on which there Will be no difficulty in determining
when any OF the numerous wells In the city be-
come polluted or dirty, At present there are no
data in existence which show what
healthy well water in the District,
and the immense demand by large part
OF our population for the privilege OF the use Of
Wells at least in summer, In preference for drink
Ing purposes, TO the warmer and at times turbld
aqueduct water, makes this subject matter OF
Importance. There are at present many good
wells In the District others which can be made SO
by cleaning and proper arrangements for prevent
Ing the waste water from carrying surface filth
into the wells, and many which analysis has
demonstrated TO be extremely filthy from sewage
conta' linatton. A careful examination Of these
wells Is desirable He adds: ''Tne aQucduct water
am pleased to say has never been OF better quality
than during the past summer"